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7Video games often require the player to collect one or more {{Plot Coupon}}s to proceed through the game's story. This trope is about when those Plot Coupons have a secondary function rather than just a MacGuffin to collect.
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9While it's required to advance the plot, the plot coupon that does something [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration has a gameplay function as well.]] For example, it might come with some new spells, abilities, or commands you can use. Or perhaps it doubles as a weapon--a variation common enough to have [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement its own separate trope]].
10
11Not to be confused with:
12
13* Plots where GottaCatchEmAll for potential party members or useful items is a goal for OneHundredPercentCompletion but not vital to the plot, as in ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile'', or ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}''. Characters that make themselves useful aside from being one of the six mages needed to restore the seal on the gates of doom, or pieces of a DismantledMacGuffin that each provide a benefit along the way can count for this trope, however. The distinction is that they must be both vital to the advancement of the plot and have some use outside of that purpose.
14* [[AbilityRequiredToProceed Items that you use to get past obstacles but serve no other purpose]]. There can be overlap here too, though: the EquipmentBasedProgression in the ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Legend of Zelda]]'' and ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' games (and much of the wider {{Metroidvania}} genre) features many items that not only get you across a specific type of BrokenBridge, but also serve as {{Utility Weapon}}s or have MundaneUtility like speeding travel in the overworld or giving you an edge in certain minigames.
15
16{{Subtrope}} to PlotCoupon, and SuperTrope to SwordOfPlotAdvancement (for coupons that are weapons or armor). Contrast the MacGuffin, which serves no purpose besides driving the plot.
17----
18!!Examples:
19
20[[foldercontrol]]
21
22[[folder: Action Adventure ]]
23* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''
24** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest''. Four of Dracula's five body parts cause beneficial effects when equipped, like giving Simon a shield or making hidden clues visible. Dracula's Ring is the only one that does nothing other than help open your path to the final battle.
25** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' paid homage to ''Simon's Quest'' by bringing back the five body parts, now with each one (even the Ring this time) granting a +10 boost to different stats.
26** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaAriaOfSorrow''. Soma's soul-collecting ability was worked into the plot; it was actually central to several twists in the sequel ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow''.
27** Shanoa's glyph ability was also critical to the entire storyline of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia.'' In fact, the almighty Dominus glyph can indeed be used in gameplay any time you wish. [[DeadlyUpgrade You may regret it, though.]]
28* The ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' games are made of this trope. In every Metroid game starting with the original, each PlotCoupon is a new weapon which is not only a new offensive tactic against enemies, but also unlocks further gameplay. For example, the Missiles or Super Missiles are stronger than your ordinary weapon, but they are also required to open color-coded doors. The simplest example is the High Jump and/or Space Jump upgrade, which grants better maneuvering and also allows the player to reach new paths. And there's a symbiosis between upgrades and bosses: new upgrades allow you to reach and defeat bosses, and defeating bosses provides new upgrades, continuously until the final battle. An exception is the late-game plot coupons in the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'', as their main purpose is to unlock the way to TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon in each game (Chozo Artifacts, Sky Temple Keys and Energy Cells; as well as Octoliths in ''Hunters'').
29* In ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'', you'll spend most of the game searching for the parts of the [[CoolSpaceship Lor Starcutter]] -- the wings, oars, topsail, and the "emblem" (more accurately, a figurehead). Exactly why the emblem is so important remains a mystery until the end of the game -- [[spoiler: after you defeat the final boss, Kirby and friends are trapped in a disintegrating subspace dimension until the Lor fires a beam from the emblem, opening a portal to Dream Land and whisking the heroes to safety.]]
30* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
31** [[DummiedOut At one point in the development of]] ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', [[WhatCouldHaveBeen the medallions you get from the sages upon clearing each dungeon]] would have been equippable as items and had some effect.
32** Speaking of, the [[SwordofPlotAdvancement Master Sword]] is generally required for plot purposes in most of the games. It just happens to deal more damage than the starting sword as well.
33** The same goes for the Bow of Light in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks''; it's significant to the plot in that it's crucial for removing Malladus from Zelda's body and is the entire reason Link goes to the Sand Temple, but it's also a very useful ranged weapon.
34** The Light Arrows in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' are required to beat the FinalBoss, but they can also be used on regular enemies. In the former, the arrows can make enemies drop purple rupees (worth 50 a piece) while the arrows in the latter are a OneHitKill to anything that's not a boss.
35* In ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheForgottenSands'', the experience points system is explained as the Prince drawing the souls of defeated sand monsters into his amulet. This becomes a plot point when it is revealed that the Prince's brother also has the same ability, and is being driven mad by the amount of levelling he has done.
36* In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'', specifically in Chris's campaign, Chris can find a flamethrower. This can be used to burn things...for a few minutes, before it must be placed into a locking mechanism to open a door.
37* The ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOutbreak'' series integrates TheVirus into the gameplay for the first time in the series. All of the players are infected, and the infection (represented by a %) ticks up to force the players to keep moving, and increases very fast if they are grievously wounded.
38* Eight magical orbs in ''VideoGame/{{Silver}}''. Ultimately used to destroy the ''BigBad'''s source of power but also work wonders (literal and very harmful wonders) on the ordinary enemies.
39* ''VideoGame/{{Tomba}}'': The Seven Evil Pig Bags are the only things able to seal the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Seven Evil Pigs]] and break the spells they've placed upon seven of the world's realms. Each boss battle requires the player to actually throw the pig into the bag itself, which moves around the screen in some fashion. Interestingly, the battles can't even begin unless Tomba has the right bag--the Evil Pig Gate that leads to each swine's hideout won't appear unless he has the bag in his inventory. In some cases, breaking an Evil Pig's curse will unlock new areas to explore or quests to complete, while the Green Evil Pig's hex on the Lava Caves ''needs'' to be broken to reach the second half of the game's world (hence why he's usually the first fought).
40[[/folder]]
41
42[[folder: Action Game ]]
43* ''VideoGame/AstroBoyOmegaFactor'' integrates its stage select system into the plot, in the form of time travel. [[spoiler: The majority of the game is spent going from stage to stage, fixing all the disasters which happened in the first playthrough.]]
44* In ''VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater 2'', most levels have an objective for collecting a set of {{Plot Coupon}}s in the level. New York uses subway tokens. Beyond awarding the objective, collecting all the subway tokens also opens access to the subway on that level.
45[[/folder]]
46
47[[folder: Action Role Playing Game ]]
48* In Part Two of ''VideoGame/TheBardsTaleTrilogy'', each of the seven parts of the Destiny Wand needed to defeat Lagoth Zanta grant their own little bonuses, such as giving buffs to the owner or using to cast certain spells.
49* Halfway through ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'', you obtain the Lordvessel, which is required to [[spoiler:open the gateway to the Kiln of the First Flame to kill Lord Gwyn and succeed him by linking the fire]]. Before filling it with Lord Souls to accomplish that, you can use it to warp between bonfires -- a skill that's very useful when you defeat the late-game bosses whose fights end with you trapped in their arena with only a bonfire for company.
50* The Horadric Cube in ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' is needed to transmute several pieces of useless crap into a larger piece of useless crap just so you can get to the bosses of Acts II and III. However, you can continue to use it to transmute items into better items that are both more useful and more valuable. It also doubles as a mini-BagOfHolding, taking up 2x2 space in inventory while having a 3x4 space for items.
51* The DismantledMacGuffin in ''Nox'' actually converges into a fearsomely deadly weapon as you collect more pieces.
52** More accurately it becomes a fearsomely deadly weapon for the warrior, and a kind-of-nice upgrade for the [[MagicKnight conjurer]]. If your playing the [[SquishyWizard wizard]] you're never going to be doing melee attacks, which makes a melee weapon, no matter how nice, nearly worthless. Which [[FridgeLogic begs the question]] why your wizard spent at least 3 out of 10 acts in the story collecting the pieces necessary to construct a weapon he will never use, rather then spending that time actually fighting the BigBad.
53* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': The secret reports make EVERYTHING plot relevant (except the fashion bonuses and the food.) Neku's ability to use multiple pins? Plot relevant. Super charged fusion attacks? Plot relevant. The dual screen fighting system? PLOT RELEVANT.
54[[/folder]]
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56[[folder: First Person Shooter ]]
57* ''VideoGame/BioShock''
58** The plasmids in ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'' that serve as the game's "spells" are also the major reason the city of Rapture was transformed into a nightmarish hellhole in the first place - overuse of them, even the non-combat ones, slowly turned the population insane.
59** Lot 192, the antidote for Jack's [[spoiler:mental conditioning]] in [[VideoGame/BioShock1 the first game]] also makes Jack's plasmids unstable, causing them to change randomly until a second dosage of the antidote is obtained.
60* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' does this in part with the [[spoiler: Eridian Artifacts]] being both plot-critical concepts, and the most common way to bolster your Action Skills. [[spoiler: And include a bunch of rare/interesting weapons to boot.]]
61* "The Relic" in ''VideoGame/Cyberpunk2077'' is the initial objective in the post-prologue main questline. Once you have it, it ends up inserted into your cyberware and results in the VirtualGhost of Johnny Silverhand appearing in your brain to provide further context & direction in the story.
62* ''VideoGame/Doom3'': The Soul Cube in the base game and the Artifact in the expansion ''Resurrection of Evil'' are integral to the plot of both games. They are also ''very'' useful in gameplay. The Soul Cube [[OneHitKill instantly kills]] any non-boss enemy and [[LifeDrain transfers all of its remaining health to the player]]. The Artifact, once fully upgraded, can [[BulletTime slow down time]], [[QuadDamage increase the power of your weapons]], and [[InvincibilityPowerUp make the player temporarily invulnerable]].
63* In ''VideoGame/TimeShift'', the time suit that gives you your time-bending powers is also central to the plot, as a similar time suit was used by the BigBad to alter history and create the dystopian future you spend the game fighting through.
64[[/folder]]
65
66[[folder: [=MMORPGs=] ]]
67* In ''VideoGame/BillyVsSNAKEMAN'', the most obvious example is the Witching Hour, which centers around your ability to [[NewGamePlus loop]], but there are numerous subtler examples, even without resorting to [[AllThereInTheManual reading the manual]]. WordOfGod claims that ''every last'' gameplay detail means something in the story.
68* In Flash-based MMO ''[[Website/GaiaOnline zOMG!]]'', all of your powers come from special Rings. These Rings are the only things that can harm [[EverythingTryingToKillYou The Animated]]. They can be powered up by powerful emotions, can only be leveled in a special room, and can be made more powerful by [[SocializationBonus spending time with other people]]. ''ALL OF THIS BECOMES PLOT RELEVANT''.
69* In ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' factions, a few of the missions are spent collecting some powerful artifacts (Urn of St. Viktor, Spear of Archemorus) to defeat the BigBad. The artifacts also provide some useful combat effects (Damage absorption, and powerful damage, respectively).
70* Many quests in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' involve bringing items back to a questgiver NPC who asked you for them, whether to prove you killed the target or because it's something valuable to the NPC. Probably more than 90 percent of these are nothing but PlotCoupons; they can only be picked up if you have the quest and they can't be used for anything or even sold to a vendor. However, a few here and there can be [[PlotCouponThatDoesSomething used as equippable items before returning them to the questgiver]], or even instead of returning them if you want the item more than whatever the quest reward is. They are generally below-average quality for their level because they aren't intended to be kept, but some have unique abilities or effects that fit the storyline of the quest and are hard to get anywhere else.
71** The popularity of some of those items has not gone unnoticed, some quests were changed to allow you to keep them anyway, and the next expansion not only expands the list, but will even add a ''toybox'' (a seperate, account-wide collection much like mounts and pets) just for storing them and many other fun items.
72** There's also some [[InfinityPlusOneSword legendary weapons]] and their [[InfinityMinusOneSword incomplete versions]], namely the Shadowmourne/Shadow Edge and Fangs of the Father, which tied to their respective raids' storyline, but also serve as best choice of weapon for any class that can wield it.
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder: Puzzle Game ]]
76* The mysterious black and white cubes found in ''VideoGame/CubeEscape'' become more and more important throughout the series. [[spoiler: By the time the game ''The Mill'' comes around, it's revealed that these cubes are formed from memories harvested from dead bodies with still-functioning brains. White cubes contain good memories, but black ones form from trauma, which also have the side-effect of reanimating the dead person as a black Corrupted soul. The cubes were harvested to "feed" to the eponymous Rusty Lake.]]
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder: Real Time Strategy ]]
80* In ''VideoGame/Homeworld2'' the key, necessary to unlock the vault where [[SealedGoodInACan SaJuuk]] is hidden, is an awesome Dreadnaught-class battleship. And [=SaJuuk=] himself is [[spoiler:an even better battleship!]]
81* In ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'', you spend about half the missions gathering pieces of a [[{{Precursors}} Xel'naga]] artifact. In the final mission, the artifact is assembled, and requires you to defend it while it charges up to [[spoiler:cure Kerrigan]]. In the meantime, you can use it every three and a half minutes to fry every Zerg in a half-mile radius. Once it finally charges up to do that thing in the spoiler tags, it fries all the zerg again, just for kicks.
82* In ''VideoGame/Pikmin2001'', the Whimsical Radar, one of the required parts to fix your starship also allows you to see the location of other ship parts on the map.
83[[/folder]]
84
85[[folder: Roguelike Game ]]
86* The path to ''[[VideoGame/AncientDomainsOfMystery ADOM]]'''s ending involves collecting all the [[ArtifactOfDoom Orbs Of Chaos]] and inserting them into a keyhole on the final boss's front door. You can actually ''equip'' these orbs for stat boosts. Although [[EvilIsNotAToy it's not a good idea]] to use their special powers.
87[[/folder]]
88
89[[folder: Role Playing Game ]]
90* In ''VideoGame/The7thSaga'', each of the 7 runes you're trying to collect has a special effect when used in combat; most boost one of your stats, and one heals you a modest amount. They can be used an infinite number of times and are crucial for making it through this NintendoHard game, [[spoiler: to the point that the game can become unwinnable about two-thirds of the way through when the plot takes them away from you and suddenly teleports you back in time and gives you much stronger enemies to deal with.]] It's not a kind game.
91** On the bright side, [[spoiler: you get them back at the end... in order to [[StableTimeLoop use them on the Big Bad in exactly the same way they were originally used to seal his powers in the first place.]] Turns out the Runes were the sealed powers of this game's version of Satan, and HE was the one who sent you to find them in the first place so that he could have his powers back. So the powers you've been using to keep yourself alive [[FridgeHorror were the residual strength of the embodiment of evil.]] Kind of disturbing, isn't it?]]
92* In the ''[[VideoGame/ExaPico Ar tonelico]]'' RPG series, music is both a technological power source and the source of the game's magic spells ("songs".) Further, the process used to learn Songs (a form of virtual reality psychotherapy) is also an important story element.
93* In ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'', the Broken Earth Sphere and Ocean Mirror both heal 1000 HP, with the Ocean Mirror also serving as a defense card. The Sword of the Heavens, on the other hand, is a good offensive and defensive weapon for Kalas. [[spoiler:Both the Ocean Mirror and Sword of the Heavens become worse after being broken as part of the plot.]]
94* In ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm'', you spend half the game searching for the pieces of a legendary blade called the [=PasSWORD=] -- the only thing capable of piercing the Firewall surrounding the final dungeon. But when you finally gather all the shards and reforge the sword, you get to use it as a weapon in ordinary battles, too. It’s very powerful, and even has a unique ability that instantly dispels enemy shields!
95* ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireI'' game features an item called the Earth Key, which you get early and is one of seven {{Cosmic Keystone}}s [[SealedEvilInACan keeping the power of Tyr at bay]]. The Earth Key is also fairly unique in that you can use it repeatedly during battle to create an earthquake that [[AreaOfEffect harms all enemies for 30 damage]], useful since your WhiteMagicianGirl has little offensive capabilities at that early point in the game.
96** It's not just the Earth Key -- the Dark Key and Light Key [[InUniverseGameClock turn the overworld clock to nighttime and daytime]], respectively.
97* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'''s save points play an almost identical role to those in ''Xenogears''. [[spoiler:That is, mind control.]]
98** The titular Chrono Cross is an element usable in battle to recharge other party members' elements for a second use.
99* The ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' add-on ''Legacy'' has Hawke's Key, which is just that, a key to Corypheus' prison that can only be used by Hawke. However, it is also a leveled customizable weapon specific to Hawke's class and combat specialization.
100* In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'':
101** Everyone in Castle Trodain has a curse cast upon them... except for the hero, who is, for some unknown reason, immune to it. There is a "Curse" status ailment in the game, which temporarily disables whoever it's inflicted upon. The hero is immune to this particular ailment. He can also freely equip and unequip cursed equipment, which usually [[StuckItems binds itself to its wearer until removed at a church]].
102** The hero has a pet mouse named Munchie, which spends the entire game in his pocket and can eat various types of cheese during combat to produce magical effects, as well as passing through conveniently placed mouseholes to retrieve small items a few times. After completing the game and starting the BonusDungeon content, Munchie is [[spoiler:revealed to be the hero's grandfather, a shapeshifting dragon, who finally explains the hero's mysterious backstory and indirectly the curse immunity mentioned above.]]
103* Your main goal in ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' is hunting down the Demigods of the Lands Between and take their Great Runes, large pieces of the [[CosmicKeystone Elden Ring]] that they obtained when it was shattered, so that the Ring can be repaired. However, the Great Runes are also sources of ''power'', so each Great Rune has a unique effect when it's equipped and a Rune Arc is used to 'activate' it; Godrick's Great Rune grants a boost to all stats, Radahn's increases Stamina and FP, Rennala's allows 'rebirths' to change your character's stats, and so on.
104* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
105** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'':
106*** The [[RingOfPower Moon-And-Star ring]] given to you by [[spoiler:Azura in recognition of your status as the Nerevarine]] also mildly boosts your Personality attribute and Speechcraft skill. It's a good item to wear when you need to persuade a NPC.
107*** The tools of Kagrenac (Wraithguard, Keening, and Sunder) are a gauntlet, dagger, and hammer respectively, needed to [[spoiler: tap into and/or sever the enchantments on the [[CosmicKeystone Heart of Lorkhan]]]]. However, each is also one of the best pieces of equipment in its class available in the game. Once you complete the main quest, you get to keep them.
108*** In the Morag Tong questline, you'll be tasked with [[CollectionSidequest recovering all]] of the "Threads of the Webspinner," special enchanted items of clothing and jewelry which each increase one skill in particular. It's recommended that if you find one you like, save it and turn it in at the end.
109*** The [[CorruptChurch Tribunal Temple]] questline includes several quests that task you with locating and retrieving a lost relic of the Temple. These relics take the form of powerful enchanted weapons and articles of clothing, which you lose once you turn them into the quest giver. In particular, the Robe of St. Roris gives you a constant effect HealingFactor, making it a borderline GameBreaker in the unpatched version of the game.
110** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'': In the Thieves' Guild quest line, the Skeleton Key is a major plot item. In your hands, it is an unbreakable lockpick. Players have been known to put off completing the quest line indefinitely just to keep such a handy item around.
111* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
112** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'', the shattered fragments of the CosmicKeystone crystals are the justification for the Job system.
113** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', likewise, with Magicite.
114*** The first half of the game revolves around Magicite, and Terra's abilities. First it's her natural magic ability, and then it's her Trance form, which turns her into her Esper self.
115** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', the Huge Materia, not only can you get a Summon from one, but they can be used to create Master Materias which take up only a single materia slot but grant the abilities of ''all'' the materia of the related type.
116** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', [=GFs=] are the reason that [[spoiler:none of the main party remembers having lived in an orphanage together]].
117*** The Draw ability is also integrated: Selphie heals an unconscious Zell in a cutscene by pulling a cure spell out of his body.
118** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'': during the first bulk of the game, TheDragon's goal is to master the Eidolons, the game's SummonMagic. [[spoiler: For the last half of the game, he tries to master Trance, the game's {{Limit Break}}s]]
119** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'': The Aeons.
120*** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' also has a much more subtle one. One of the recording spheres you find of Braska's pilgrimage shows him stopping to touch a Save Point as he's talking to Jecht and Auron.
121*** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'': Dress Spheres.
122** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'': Nethicite and the Espers. The former is a magic absorbent mineral that can be equipped on spell tanks at the cost of all their magical potential, while the latter become summons once defeated.
123%%(ZCE)** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIIRevenantWings'': [[SummonMagic Yarhi]].
124** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'': The Ring of the Lucii and the Royal Arms. A few, but not all, of these double as a SwordOfPlotAdvancement as some of the Royal Tombs are located in optional dungeons and aren't necessary to advance the plot. The blessings of the [[SummonMagic Astrals]] arguably count as well.
125** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTacticsAdvance'' and its sequel: Judges.
126* ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' has a twist with the "canisters" you're using, as [[HeartContainer Heart Containers]] and [[UpgradeArtifact Upgrade Artifacts]] affect you as well as the [=NPCs=] you're fighting. [[ParabolicPowerCurve Too many]], and you start picking fights and talking like a psychopath. Way too many, and you may get a DownerEnding. And heaven help you if [[spoiler:you use the Geneforge]]...
127* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun: The Lost Age'' for the GBA, the heroes need to gather the pieces of a trident in order to harm Poseidon, but the trident can be used in any battle to do damage to a selected enemy.
128** Most of the PlotCoupons in any of the games are items that grant a Psynergy that has both uses in battle and for puzzle solving.
129*** This grows incredibly silly as increasing numbers of these powers are just things you can already do, but applied to a different obstacle (the number of powers that use the cartoon glove signifying Generic Telekinesis is ridiculous in and of itself).
130* The divine artifacts in ''[[VideoGame/{{Gothic}} Gothic 3]]''. Finding all five is necessary to complete the game and they are pretty much the best armor and jewelry items in the game.
131* ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' has the Spirit Monk amulet as a PlotCoupon. As you collect more pieces, you are able to utilize gems that enhance your abilities. [[spoiler: By the time Sun Li steals it from you, it turns out to be a MagicFeather -- you're now powerful enough to use the gems without the amulet]].
132* Some PlotCoupons in ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' are actually accessories you can equip. One such item gives you infinite AP.
133* In ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork 6'', [[spoiler:Wily]]'s EvilPlan is for the purpose of extracting a SealedEvilInACan Cyber Beast from [=MegaMan=]. Said Beast is basically [=MegaMan=]'s SuperMode.
134* With each of the Seven Needles that Lucas pulls in ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'', his PK Love attack gets upgraded, as the result of the magic from [[spoiler:the Dark Dragon that sleeps beneath the earth]] awakening the ability within him. It is possible that the same thing is happening with [[EnigmaticMinion the Masked Man]], as he reaches three of the Needles no matter what you do, and can use all levels of PK Love.
135* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'' gives us the shards of the Sword of Gith, each of which gives you a different bonus while you possess them and get reforged into a really powerful sword, as well as opening the gate to the Fuge Plane, by the time Mask of the Betrayer rolls around.
136** The original campaign also has powers granted by the Ritual of Purification, which was designed to destroy the BigBad. They are actual battle abilities and can be used outside the FinalBoss fight, though most aren't very useful due to their CripplingOverspecialization.
137* In ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'' and ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'', your Star Powers are tied directly to the {{Plot Coupon}}s -- Star Spirits or Crystal Stars, respectively. When you collect a coupon, you receive one additional unit in your Star Power meter, and learn a new ability (which might heal you, buff your stats, or attack your enemies).
138* In ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', some skills are CastFromHitPoints, requiring a set percentage determined by your maximum HP. You can't use them if you don't have enough, of course. [[spoiler:The EleventhHourSuperpower used against Nyx in the final battle costs ''all'' of the main character's hit points, as he's using his soul to seal her. He dies in the ending.]]
139* Games from the ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' series are riddled with these. In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarII'', there is an item called a "Mogic Cap" which appears to be useless as it is found in a labyrinth which also contains a "Magic Cap", which in turn allows the player to communicate with the cats that are running around the labyrinth, but its uselessness for talking to the cats is a red herring, for the plot is stuck until the "Mogic Cap" is worn into a village on the Ice Planet Dezo, and serves as a translation device with the people.
140** In ''[[VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV End of the Millennium]]'', the Eclipse Torch is a holy artifact the party needs to get past a forest of carnivorous trees, and which they have to retrieve after it's stolen. Once they do, though, the Eclipse Torch is in the party inventory and can be used in battle to produce the same purifying holy flame used to incinerate the trees in the cutscene.
141* Played with in ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment''. The player is forced to seek out a small, bronze sphere to get information from a stubborn old man who collects cadavers. The item seems completely useless, and yet the servants of the opposition are seen immediately killing the old man. The player doesn't need to get the MacGuffin at all, not even to get the GoldenEnding, but if he goes back for it, it lets him talk the Big Bad to death and makes achieving the GoldenEnding even easier. [[spoiler: The protagonist is immortal but forgets himself; he gave the MacGuffin to the old man in one of his past incarnations, claiming it granted immortality, so that the old man would keep it safe when the protagonist's corpse turned up. Sure enough, the current incarnation of the protagonist doesn't know that, and the sphere contains the protagonist's memories of his TrueName. Learning his True Name also grants the single-biggest gift of Experience Points ever seen in a D&D setting: ''Two million''.]] So it seems to be a PlotCoupon which anchors a BatmanGambit, only to turn out to bestow EleventhHourSuperpower.
142* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''
143** The Gym Badges have three uses. They actually gave a slight stat boost (don't ask how) to your {{mons}} in the first three generations, they act as "licenses" for [=HM=] field moves (though in some games, like [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite those of the fifth generation]], this isn't the case), and they force obedience from all {{mons}} below a certain level, above which they will disobey you if they are traded. In ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'', there aren't any badges- instead you earn Z-Crystals for clearing trials (and at other points in the game); the level limit is instead enforced based on how many grand trials (major boss trainers) you defeat. They can be equipped to Pokémon to give them access to a powerful FinishingMove. ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' brings back Badges, but since most obstacles that needed HM moves have been removed and the remaining ones are handled with different mechanics now[[note]]Surfing has been replaced by a bike upgrade that allows it to float on water and flying is done by a taxi service[[/note]], so all Badges do anymore is enforce obedience by level.
144** The introduction of innate abilities in ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire''/''Emerald''. The three "mascot" OlympusMons (Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza, respectively) in these games have their abilities be pivotal to the story: awakening the first two are the goals of the two villainous teams, while the last one is needed to calm the ensuing battle. The first two have abilities that act as though Sunny Day / Rain Dance respectively is always in effect. This applies out of battle as well, as you need to stop them once they are awakened. Rayquaza's Air Lock prevents weather conditions from taking effect, and is shown as the only way to nullify the world-ending powers of the former.
145** Every Pokemon game has useless Key Items that serve no purpose outside of clearing a specific obstacle needed to advance. The most notable exception being the Pokeflute, a plot item used to wake up a giant sleeping Pokemon that's blocking the road so you can get to the next town. What many players never realize is that the item can also be used in battle to heal the Sleep status condition, completely obsoleting the one use Awakening item.
146** The Plates, the items that allow [[OlympusMons Arceus]] to change its type, are this in ''VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus'', as you collect them throughout the game. Though since Arceus is the TrueFinalBoss and the only challenge after it is the Eternal Battle Reverie, they border on BraggingRightsReward (not to mention that most of the regular type-changing plates pale in comparison to the Legend Plate).
147* ''VideoGame/{{SaGa|RPG}}'' series (aka ''Final Fantasy Legend''):
148** The first major quest in ''VideoGame/TheFinalFantasyLegend'' is to gather a legendary sword, shield, and suit of armor to restore a statue. These items turn out to be extremely powerful this early in the game, but the player only gets to use them for as long as it takes to return to town where the statue is.
149** The MAGI in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyLegendII'' is used to upgrade your characters, sometimes even granting bonus attacks to the limited 8-slot system, but are also central to the plot as they have a bad habit of turning evil people into pseudo-Gods.
150** In Riki's quest in ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'', he is seeking out nine magical rings to save his homeland. Each of these rings can be used once per battle to produce useful effects. [[spoiler:They're also cursed to warp any wish made on them, and turn Mei-Ling into the final boss of the quest.]]
151* The magic system in ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'' is based around rune fragments, the "true runes" that these fragments come from play an important part in the plots of each game in the series.
152** In the GaidenGame ''VideoGame/SuikodenTierkreis'', the characters get abilities by touching magical artifacts (mostly books) called Chronicles. Since they ''also'' [[spoiler:allow you to [[RewritingReality change the True Chronicle]]]], a lot of the plot involves racing the antagonists to try to get to them first.
153* Any game of the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' where a portion of the game revolves around collecting the Summon spirits. Phantasia, Eternia, Symphonia, for starters. ''Especially'' Eternia, where the entire game was about the Summons, and they underpinned the ''entire'' magic system, not just one character's spells.
154** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny'', Swordians are pretty important to the development (second only to the MacGuffin proper, the Eye of Atamoni). While they aren't actually necessary to combat, they enable magic spells and magical attacks.
155*** Swordians also level up and have equipment, basically making them additional (albeit immobile) party members.
156** Also, ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'''s Exspheres follow the "special variant" variety with the Cruxis Crystal.
157** The Jewel of Lorelei in ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' can be equipped as an accessory for Luke, giving him a large amount of HP and TP recovery over time. Unfortunately, you must give it up in order to get the SwordOfPlotAdvancement.
158* The [=ARMs=] in the ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series inevitably have something to do with the story, and the fact that one of the main characters can use them (or use particular ones, or in a particular way).
159** Another example from ''VideoGame/{{Wild ARMs 3}}'' would be the Dark Mask and the Tear Drop, amongst others. While it looks like just any other plot coupons, Virginia's unique item using ability can turn said items into usable piece of items. For example Tear Drop, containing the essence of Filgaia itself, heals any character it is used on.
160* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' has the [[SaveGameLimits Save Points]] being integrated into the story. It turns out that the save points were created by the bad guys & they've been using them to track the main characters' progress. At one point, you even get to visit the factory where they're made!
161** Its SpiritualSuccessor ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'' has the Monado, the SwordOfPlotAdvancement that [[CombatClairvoyance gives the wielder visions of the future]]. As well as being important to the plot, it also occasionally warns the player of attacks that will incapacitate or severely injure a character. The player can take steps to weaken or even stop the attack from happening, or straight-up warn the victim-to-be to use a move to counter it.
162[[/folder]]
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164[[folder: Simulation Game ]]
165* The side missions, the reputation system, and the WideOpenSandbox in ''VideoGame/{{Freelancer}}'' are a direct result of Trent being a freelance pilot, going from boron trader to LSF operative, [[spoiler:to outlaw exiled in Bretonia, to freedom fighter in Kusari, to defender of the Sirius system with the Order]].
166[[/folder]]
167
168[[folder: Stealth-Based Game ]]
169* The ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series always had UnusableEnemyEquipment, {{handwave}}d or justified a different way every game. In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'' guns are "ID Locked", and this time, the plot is centered around a struggle for control of this ID system. The local arms dealer Drebin can help for a fee by... er... "[[LeaningOnTheFourthWall unlocking]]" guns for you.
170[[/folder]]
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172[[folder: Turn Based Strategy ]]
173* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragon'' and its sequel ''Mystery of the Emblem'' are some of the few games in the series where the titular MacGuffin has a gameplay function. Once Marth obtains it in-story, he gains the ability to open chests like a Thief.
174** Additionally, there is also the Starsphere and the Lightsphere. The Starsphere grants infinite weapon durability to whoever holds it (''New Mystery of the Emblem'' nerfs it by making it grant +2 to all stats instead), and the Lightsphere negates enemy terrain bonuses. Both must be given up however, to craft the Starlight tome, the only thing capable of damaging and killing [[TheDragon Gharnef]], and forcing him to drop [[InfinityPlusOneSword Falchion.]]
175* In ''VideoGame/MakaiKingdom'', writing wishes in The Sacred Tome is not only what the whole story's about (Zetta using it to recover his netherworld) but is also a central part of the game as it's used to create new facilities, random dungeons, reincarnate characters and unlock bonus content.
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177
178[[folder: Visual Novels ]]
179* Inverted in ''VisualNovel/{{Melody}}'' with the guitar that Amy buys for the title character. The protagonist sells it to kick off the plot, and Melody uses it for her first couple of lessons.
180[[/folder]]
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